News
Jim Hendry gets MBE
Carlton Reid Jun 16 2007, 11:30pm
The former General Secretary of British Cycling, now retired, was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list
James David Hendry got his Order of the British Empire for his "services to cycling."
A talented amateur road rider, Hendry represented his country on several occasions and was briefly a pro, riding for Mottram Cycles. He began coaching in the late sixties and held a number of voluntary coaching and team manager positions, both regionally and nationally: he managed many GB teams in international races and held the voluntary position of BCF Road Squad Manager in 1978.
British Cycling's current CEO, Peter King, said:
"Jim's contribution to the sport as an official spans a period of massive change and indeed sometimes turmoil and throughout that period, Jim's integrity and commonsense approach shone through. His energy and the many, many hours he has always put into the job have made him a unique figure in our sport.
"In many ways, the recruiting of Jim as Director of Racing in 1979 began the professionalism of the organisation, though resources were still very tight and massive amounts of voluntary effort were necessary to keep things moving. Thanks to the work done by Jim, and other key figures at the time, results at international level began the slow ascent.
"Taking on the role of Chief Executive in 1987, Jim established the new offices at Kettering and a further level of professionalism began.
Throughout that period greater funding was secured from the Sports Councils of the time and a high point was reached in 1992 when, at the Barcelona Olympics, Chris Boardman won Britain's first cycling Gold medal for 72 years.
"Throughout the difficult years of the mid nineties, when he Federation was racked by internal disputes, Jim remained a constant and consistent presence, helping to steer a course through the difficulties and establishing a firm new base for the organisation. It's much to Jim's credit that a strong core of the organisation was able to withstand the pressures of the time.
"Jim's knowledge and experience proved invaluable to the new Board and Jim contributed significantly to the securing of the first tranches of Lottery funding that were to lead to the recruitment of Peter Keen as Performance Director and the establishment of the Cycling World Class Performance Programme, the root of our current levels of success.
"Without any doubt, British Cycling would not be the organisation it has become today without the contribution and commitment of Jim Hendry."
